Speaker Romualdez lauds former Pres. Duterte for interest in political discourse but remains focused on PH’s needs

Transcript

00:00 House Speaker Martin Romualdez does not want to lose focus on doing what is needed to bring

00:04 about meaningful change that would benefit Filipinos.

00:08 The speaker made this statement amidst criticism against the lower house coming from many fronts

00:12 including that of a former president.

00:15 Melendez Moras has the details.

00:19 House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed gratitude to former President Rodrigo Duterte's interest

00:25 and involvement in political discourse but emphasized the need to prioritize the country's

00:29 needs.

00:30 This after Duterte accused him of posturing for 2028 presidency.

00:35 Speaker Romualdez said, "There are many problems right now that need real solutions

00:39 and cannot be resolved just by elections.

00:42 That's why as Speaker of the House, his priority is to promote unity and collaboration across

00:47 all political lines."

00:49 Regarding his personal political aspirations, Romualdez said he is committed to his role

00:54 as Speaker and focus on his duties and responsibilities and not on future electoral possibilities.

01:00 Prior to this, the lower house was also involved in an alleged impeachment plot against Vice

01:05 President Sara Duterte Carpio although house leaders had already denied this.

01:10 "I opted to call the leaders, Kong Saldi, Hanggang Kay Speaker, to ask them what's going

01:21 on if there's such a thing.

01:23 And nothing.

01:24 It was not tackled.

01:25 No such thing was discussed by party leaders or house leadership."

01:37 According to House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, there is also no basis to file

01:42 an impeachment complaint against VP Sara.

01:45 "At this point, there's no impeachable offense that VP did.

01:52 We know the grounds of impeachment.

01:56 At this point, we don't see that she violated the Constitution.

02:01 So why would she impeach someone?

02:04 Maybe she's doing something intriguing."

02:06 For his part, House Majority Leader Manix Dalipe also called the issue fake news, which

02:11 he believes are mere attempts to sow discord and put a wedge between VP Sara and Speaker

02:16 Romualdez.

02:18 The controversy stems from a statement of House Deputy Minority Leader Franz Castro,

02:23 which she already clarified.

02:25 "She's not serious.

02:27 Those are just casual stories.

02:30 Nothing serious.

02:31 And you don't have a congressman or anyone from our party to file or endorse that."

02:44 Mel Alasmoras for The Nation.